Health, Wellness and Fitness for People & Pets JUNE 2015 | Page 54

“Too many victims feel compelled to stay in abusive relationships to protect their pets. This bill protects both victims and pets,” Ros-Lehtinen added. Advocates for the legislation say approximately one-third of domestic violence victims delay leaving abusive relationships out of concern for the well-being of their pets. Supporters also claim that up to 25% of victims have reported returning to an abusive partner because they fear for their pets. Are Veterinary Colleges Teaching About Animal Abuse in States Where Such Reporting is Mandated? In response to a question raised in the April LINK-Letter asking whether veterinarians are receiving regular training in animal abuse or child maltreatment in those states where practitioners are mandated reporters, we received a response from one veterinarian in California. “My answer is ‘No,’” said Jennifer W. “I am unaware of any required classes on the topic at either University of California – Davis’s vet school or at Western University’s vet school. I agree that veterinarians need more education and likely, it needs to be part of the required curriculum and part of required continuing education to make a difference.” We invite your input to this important question. Fifteen states mandate veterinarians to report suspected animal abuse, two states require that they report suspected child abuse, one state mandates they report elder abuse, and 18 states require everyone to report suspected child abuse. Please send The LINK-Letter any insights you can provide to [email protected]. THE LINK AND… ELDER ABUSE Coalition Participating in World Elder Abuse Awareness Day The National Link Coalition is partnering with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living to support World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15. The annual event, sponsored by the National Center on Elder Abuse, draws attention to the abuse, neglect and financial exploitation affecting an estimated 5,000,000 older Americans. WEAAD was started in 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the UN to promote greater understanding of the social, cultural, economic and demographic processes leading to elder abuse and neglect. As a collaborator in WEAAD, the National Link Coalition is participating in the Elder Justice Roadmap Project. The animal abuse/elder abuse Link is often found in animal hoarding, in which many hoarders are isolated older persons, and in cases of financial exploitation in which seniors’ pets are held hostage for ransom by other family members. Other Link issues include seniors who delay or refuse medical attention or hospitalization due to lack of foster care for their pets, and health and welfare concerns arising from seniors whose limited capabilities prevent them from adequately cleaning up after or caring for their pets. 7